AUSTIN, Texas – Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is prepared to welcome travelers this holiday season, and asks that passengers plan ahead, arrive early, and prepare for a busy terminal experience starting Thursday, November 21 through Monday, December 2. While it is too early for the airport to make a projection on exact passenger volumes during this holiday season, last year’s Thanksgiving travel period saw the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screen over 382,000 people across the twelve-day period, with the Friday before the holiday being the busiest, with nearly 38,000 people screened.

To ensure a safe and comfortable experience for travelers, guests, and staff alike, the Department of Aviation has taken proactive steps to prepare for the busy travel period. Additional Department of Aviation staff will be in the terminal to provide face-to-face support with wayfinding, passenger processing line management, and crowd control. The Department is proactively activating the Department Operations Center (DOC) during peak departing travel times to coordinate a swift response to any irregular operations or incidents that may arise.

Passengers are encouraged to use the following airport travel tips to prepare for their upcoming travels:

Getting to AUS

• The holidays bring with them extra vehicles on the roadways. Passengers headed to the airport should expect congestion and traffic on the highways and roadways leading into AUS. Check real-time traffic updates at DriveTexas.org before heading out.
• CapMetro offers airport service with Route 20 for a convenient airport connection.

To prevent congestion on the terminal roadways, the Rental Car Lane on-ramp to the Terminal and the Cell Phone Lot’s south west exit will be closed intermittently during the holiday travel period. Drivers should follow temporary signage to use Spirit of Austin Lane or Hotel Drive to access the Terminal.

Parking and dropping off/picking up passengers

• On-site parking may fill up quickly. Reserve parking spaces in advance and check real-time availability at ABIAParking.com or call (512) 530-3300.
• Passengers should account for extra arrival time if using a shuttle service to the terminal, as the shuttle tends to run about every 15-20 minutes.
• Both the upper departures level and the lower arrivals level are available for passenger pick-up and drop-off.
• The airport’s Frequent Parker Program has returned following updates and system improvements. Existing members should check their email for directions to transition their account and new users can sign up at ABIAParking.com. 

When to arrive to the airport

• Passengers using general Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening should arrive to the terminal at least 2.5 hours before departure for domestic flights and 3 hours before departure for international flights.
• Passengers who need to check luggage, return a rental car, are traveling in large groups, or need to complete other pre-security screening activities, should budget in extra time to their arrival. However, because the terminal will be busy in both pre-and post-security areas, AUS does not recommend arriving more than 4 hours before a flight’s departure.
• Airline ticket counters are expected to be busy, especially for airlines that offer free or discounted checked luggage.

Security screening

• AUS has 3 security screening checkpoints, which lead to all gates. TSA PreCheck and Clear are available at Checkpoint 2 West.
• TSA checkpoints open daily at 3 a.m.
• Airport management has collaborated with TSA to add more screening lanes and machines to the two middle checkpoints. TSA now has the largest volume of security screening lanes at AUS than it has ever had.

Packing properly for security screening

• Bringing prohibited items, such as liquids and aerosols exceeding 3.4 oz. will hold up the line and cause delays. Passengers can visit TSA.gov for guidance on how to pack and what items are allowed in carry-on luggage.
• Non-liquid, solid food items are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags. For example, potatoes are allowed through the checkpoints, but mashed potatoes are not. 
• If food is packed with ice or ice packs in a cooler or other container, the ice or ice packs are required to be completely frozen when brought through screening. If the ice or ice packs are partially melted and have any liquid at the bottom of the container, they will not be allowed. 
• If traveling with gifts, TSA recommends passengers wait until they have arrived at their destination to wrap them or send the gifts ahead by mail as the gifts may have to be unwrapped at a checkpoint.
• Follow TSA guidelines on prohibited items. Firearms are strictly prohibited in carry-ons.

Checking into your flight

• Passengers without checked luggage can bypass the busy ticket counters and head to TSA screening checkpoints directly, using the following time-saving flight check-in options:
  • Use a mobile boarding pass or print a boarding pass from a self-service kiosk to skip the busy airline ticket counters.
  • In addition to traditional check-in procedures, some airlines offer curbside check-in on the Departures level.
• Stay informed of potential flight delays by staying in touch with your airline and checking weather conditions at your destination. Even if Texas weather is clear, poor weather conditions at connecting or final destination airports can affect flight schedules here.

Accessibility services for departing passengers

• AUS is piloting a new smart-phone application wayfinding tool for passengers who are hard-of-hearing, deaf, blind, have low-vision or have other accessibility and functional needs. The GoodMaps app is available in the Apple iOS store and Google Play store. While using the app, the phone should be held upright, like taking a photo or video. The app will provide directions both in haptics, visuals, and textual prompts.
• Passengers needing wheelchair assistance should contact their airline to coordinate this service.
• TSA offers a passenger assistance program, TSA Cares, for departing travelers who may want more help during the security screening process at AUS. Contact TSA 72 hours before your trip to set this up.
• All of AUS’s accessibility services and amenities, including the Sunflower Lanyard Program and bag claim curbside pick-up for rideshare users with disabilities or mobility assistive devices can be found online at austintexas.gov/department/aus-all-accessibility-services.

Getting the most out of your AUS experience

• Once inside the Barbara Jordan Terminal, travelers can enjoy food from various local Austin restaurants, discover new art installations, listen to live music at one of our stages, and more. Step-by-step directions to any location within the airport can be found using the AUS interactive map.

Important for Allegiant and Frontier Passengers

• Allegiant and Frontier flights operate from the separate AUS South Terminal, located at 10000 Logistics Lane. Shuttle service from the main terminal is available, but on-site parking at the South Terminal is highly recommended.

Construction activities

• Journey With AUS airport improvement construction projects may be noticeable to passengers in the terminal. Visit AustinTexas.gov/AUSConstructionUpdates for a list of scheduled and active construction activities or follow AUS on social media (X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn) for updates.

For additional information on TSA packing guidelines and other important, general airport security information visit TSA.gov. For airport-related questions or assistance, passengers can reach the Airport Operations Center at (512) 530-2242 or ask any of our Department of Aviation team members in the terminal.

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MEDIA AVAILABILITY

Date:  Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Time:   5  a.m. – 9 a.m.

Place:  Barbara Jordan Terminal, Mobility Lounge area

Who:   Patricia Mancha, TSA Spokesperson,

Kimmie Hey, AUS PIO Division Manager

Interviews in English and Spanish

RSVP:  Preferred by Monday, November 25, at noon

            Ausmedia@flyaustin.com or (512) 715-4287

INFORMATION FOR MEDIA

Members of the media are asked to park a marked vehicle in the media parking area on the upper-level Departures curbside. If driving an unmarked vehicle, we will need the make, model, color, and license plates of the vehicle for security purposes. Refer to the AUS media guide for more details on media parking and live spot locations.